Second Degree Entry Option for the BSN Program

This option is available for students who want to become a BSN and who already have a BS or BA degree in a field other than nursing. If you have an Associate Degree in nursing, please see the RN-BSN program.

Students with prior baccalaureate degrees are EXEMPT from the WKU general education
requirements, as you have already met general education requirements in your prior
degree program.

Students with a prior baccalaureate must still complete certain nursing specific pre-requisites
prior to entry into the nursing program, as noted below.

Once accepted into the nursing program, you will join with other BSN students and complete the entire nursing curriculum in 4 semesters.

Pre-Requisite Courses for Second Degree Students (may be transferred from your prior
degree if you took an equivalent course)

Statistics (3 hrs) You can take any ONE of the following courses to meet this requirement.
Math 183, Econ 206, Social Work 344, Soc 300, PH 383 or Psy 301.

Nursing 102 Introduction to Professional Nursing

**NOTES: You must have a grade of C or better in all of the required science courses
listed above. Anatomy and Physiology must have been completed no more than 5 years
prior to application to the nursing program. Students who have obtained a minimum
grade of "C" in Anatomy and Physiology more than 5 years prior to application to the
nursing program must either retake the courses, or demonstrate current competency
by passing a challenge exam prior to application to the nursing program.

You must have completed at least 3 out of the 4 sciences classes at the time of application
to the program, as grades in these classes are part of the admissions formula. You
must also have completed the HESI exam at the time of application to the program.
Application Deadlines are posted on the BSN program page

ADVISEMENT for Second Degree Students

Please contact the School of Nursing at 270-745-4379 or email to:kristy.mayes@wku.edu for advisement information.

ADMISSIONS into the BSN NURSING Program

Completion of the above classes does not guarantee admission into the nursing program.
Students applying for nursing must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. Students with
prior degrees whose overall GPA is less than 2.75 but who have a GPA over 2.75 in
the above classes can apply for an exception to this requirement. The exemption (if
granted) allows the admissions committee to consider only the above classes when calculating
the student’s overall GPA. The exception is not automatically granted and it is up
to the admissions committee to grant or deny this appeal.

Applying to the program: Students are eligible to apply to be a nursing major only
after completing the majority of the pre-requisite classes. You must be either done
with all of the pre-requisite courses or be enrolled in the remaining classes at the
time you apply for entry into the nursing program. Otherwise, the admissions committee
cannot review your application. The deadline for students seeking to start the nursing
program in the Fall semester is February 1, The deadline for those wanting to start
the nursing program in the Spring Semester is August 1. Admissions testing, criminal
background, CPR, Immunizations and Medical Clearance all has to be obtained and documented
with your application, so plan in advance. Full details on the application process
are available from our website. See Nursing Application and Procedures for forms and more information.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This is not an online or distance program.This is not a weekend or evening program.This is not a part-time program.

The WKU BSN nursing program is only available on the main campus, which is located
in Bowling Green Ky. The nursing program is designed so students take their prerequisites
prior to entry into the actual nursing program, and then complete all of their nursing
requirements in 4 semesters of full-time coursework.

The BSN nursing program is very intense. Once you are admitted to the nursing program
you need to plan on this program taking all of your time and attention. The most common
reason for failure from the nursing program is over-commitment of students (jobs,
family obligations, personal health problems). If you are not able to commit to 4
semesters of "overtime" study, (class, clinical, labs), nursing is probably not a
good choice for you at this point in your life.

Nursing is one of the most popular majors on campus, and it is an excellent career
choice. However, it is a limited enrollment program, which means that students are
ranked on the basis of cumulative undergraduate GPA, completion of prerequisites courses,
science grades, and admissions test scores. We take the top ranking students into
the program each semester.